Challenges Facing Women and Girls in Australian Sports

A review of recent reports reveals a pattern of challenges facing women and girls in Australian sports, including inadequate facilities, safety concerns, governance disputes, and barriers related to health and disability. The following is a consolidated, factual summary of these issues based on multiple sources.

Safety, Harassment, and Reporting Failures

Allegations of Stalking and Harassment

"The club noted the matter but allowed him to continue playing."

Jaydan Thomson, a former NBL1 player with the Ipswich Basketball Association, alleged she was stalked and harassed by a male player from the same club. She obtained a temporary protection order and domestic violence order in April 2022; no criminal charges were filed. Thomson stated she raised concerns with the club and Basketball Queensland, particularly regarding the alleged stalker coaching youth and speaking at a school. The club noted the matter but allowed him to continue playing. Basketball Queensland declined to comment on Thomson's specific case but stated it takes safety matters seriously and complies with Sport Integrity Australia standards.

Sexual Harassment in Elite Sport

Multiple athletes reported experiences of sexual harassment and abuse, alongside difficulties during the reporting process.

• Kareema Wakim, a 19-year-old moguls skier, reported sexual harassment by an older male teammate during her first national senior team trip. She stated she felt "guilty" after reporting and regretted her action initially.
• An anonymous athlete reported being raped by a national team head coach. The investigation reportedly took months, and the athlete stated the sporting organization covered it up, resulting in a one-year coaching ban for the coach, who had a history of similar incidents.
• Lilee Lunee, a national-level rowing cox, reported observing sexual harassment from male coaches, including sexualized comments about female rowers' bodies.

Research on Gender-Based Violence

Research from La Trobe University, the University of Sydney, and Victoria University on gender-based violence against women in sport identified clear themes from interviews with 27 women and gender-diverse individuals:

• Policies were often unclear, and individuals did not know where to report incidents.
• Reports often led to no action, dismissal, or a suggestion to "get used to it."
• These issues contributed to disillusionment and women leaving sport.
• Common complaints included not being believed, losing opportunities, and facing intimidating legal processes.

Current Reporting Systems

Sport Integrity Australia (SIA) oversees anti-doping, match-fixing, and child safeguarding, but its remit does not specifically cover gender-based violence or safeguarding for individuals over 18. SIA can only conduct investigations for sports signed up to the National Integrity Framework.

Dr. Kirsty Forsdike from La Trobe Rural Health School identified issues within current reporting systems, including policies that prioritize organizational protection over victim support, legalistic reporting pathways, and untrained responders. Suggested solutions include updating policies, using a trauma-informed approach, and utilizing the publicly available "Safe to Speak, Bound to Act" toolkit.

Governance and Club-Level Disputes

Kyneton Wedge-Tailed Eagles League Entry Dispute

The Kyneton Women's Football Club (later renamed the Wedge-Tailed Eagles Football Club) formed as an independent club in 2024 following their separation from the Kyneton Football Netball Club (KFNC) amid claims of disrespect and inequitable treatment. KFNC denied these claims. The club was rejected by three competitions for the 2025 season. The Central Victorian Football League (CVFL) subsequently accepted the club's application unanimously for the 2026 season. However, AFL Victoria intervened to block this entry following an appeal lodged by the Riddell District Football League (RDFNL).

"It's not about footy, it's about grooming and gender weirdness."

AFL Victoria's appeal board cited the following factors in its decision: the long-term sustainability of the club, the potential impact on established participation pathways at other existing clubs, and uncertainty surrounding adequate facility provisions. Documents cited a "lack of demonstrated need," concerns about junior pathways, and facility issues. The club disputed facility concerns, stating a local council had allocated them a ground.

Brenton Knott, president of the RDFNL, is alleged to have made comments in a leaked message to a supporter, including statements such as "it's not about footy, it's about grooming and gender weirdness." KWFC reported this alleged message to the AFL integrity unit. Knott has reportedly denied these specific comments and stated he is exploring legal advice.

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan expressed hope the rejection would not deter young female footballers, stating that women should be able to choose and participate equally in sport. The club was later approved to play in the CVFL under the name Wedge-Tailed Eagles Football Club, concluding the dispute.

Inappropriate Costumes Incident

Genna Krienke, 25, resigned as captain of the Box Hill North Football Club (BHNFC) women's team after photos of the senior men's leadership team in inappropriate costumes circulated online. One photo depicted the captain of the men's senior team dressed as a schoolgirl, which Krienke identified as mimicking an individual making sexual assault allegations against public figures. Another photo showed the deputy vice-captain in full body blackface with a large penis attached to the costume.

Krienke reported the costumes to BHNFC in August 2025. She stated that initial communication with the club occurred a few days later, but she did not receive further updates for a month and a half. The club only committed to taking action in January 2026, after media inquiries.

BHNFC released a statement apologizing for "any offence caused" by the end-of-season gathering, acknowledging that "certain costumes and associated social media posts were inappropriate." The club stated it "strongly condemns this behaviour" and escalated the issue to the Victorian Amateur Football Association (VAFA), which consulted AFL Victoria.

Facility Inadequacies

Macedon Football Netball Club

The Macedon Football Netball Club (MFNC) in Victoria has reported inadequate changing facilities for its growing women's and girls' teams. The club's rooms include open urinals and open showers, with limited private toilet facilities. Female players reported changing in their cars or using public toilet blocks. The club has been lobbying the Macedon Ranges Shire Council and state government for an upgrade. Council has allocated $380,000 for 2026-27 toward a project valued at approximately $650,000.

Broader Facility Context

Victorian MP Georgie Purcell criticized the state government's decision to cut the Office for Women in Sport and Recreation, stating that access and facilities must accompany inclusion.

Participation, Retention, and Discrimination

Research on Participation and Retention

A report by Federation University and Victoria University, based on 15 interviews, indicates that while participation rates for women and girls in traditionally male-dominated sports are increasing, retention rates are significantly lower compared to men and boys. Professor Rochelle Eime noted that many clubs, originally established by and for males, struggle to adapt to and accept women and girls.

The "Change Our Game State of Play" survey, released in July 2023 and involving 670 Victorians, showed that:

• More than a quarter (28%) of women in community sport had considered leaving their clubs due to inequitable treatment.
• Over half reported experiencing gendered discrimination.
• 55% witnessed or experienced sexist language and jokes.

Sexual Violence Statistics

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Personal Safety Survey (2022), an estimated 2.8 million people aged 18 and older had experienced sexual violence since age 15. The 2023 Child Maltreatment Study estimated approximately 28.5% of Australians experienced sexual abuse before age 18. The Australian Law Reform Commission's 2023 Justice Responses to Sexual Violence inquiry found that nine out of ten women do not report sexual violence to police.

Health and Disability Barriers

Menstrual Health in Sport

A survey conducted by ABC Sport and Deakin University found that 75% of 152 women and gender-diverse athletes surveyed across 47 sports reported menstrual irregularities. 75% said menstrual cycles were not considered in training program development. 85% believe there is insufficient education about women's health for athletes, coaches, and support staff. Consequences include Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S), which can lead to missed periods, increased injury risk, bone weakness, and fertility problems.

Disabled Women and Period-Related Barriers

68% of disabled women and girls regularly skip sport because of their period.

A 2023 survey by Victoria University and Share the Dignity found that 68% of disabled women and girls regularly skip sport because of their period. The survey received 273 responses from disabled individuals who regularly engage in sport. Over a third of respondents avoided sport due to lack of access to needed period products. Many reported discomfort with pads, tampons, or menstrual cups due to sensory issues or physical dexterity challenges. Swimming Australia has developed inclusive swimwear guidelines covering period swimwear.

Barriers for Disabled Athletes

Former Paralympian swimmer Hannah MacDougall reported early retirement due to burnout, attributing it to inappropriate training regimes and discrimination as a female athlete with an impairment. Over half of respondents to an ABC Elite Athletes in Australian Women's Sport survey reported discrimination due to impairment. MacDougall's burnout was linked to a lack of understanding from National Sporting Organisations regarding the increased energy expenditure required by athletes with physical disabilities. Only 19% of disabled Australian women regularly participate in sport.

Advocacy and Systemic Calls for Change

Protest Campaign

A protest campaign called "Wear Red Round," initiated by the advocacy group Not All Clubs, is planned for May 29-31 across multiple sports codes in Australia. Participants will wear two red armbands to honor victims of gendered violence and call for greater accountability in sports safeguarding.

Funding and Policy Calls

"Sexual violence services are buckling under the weight of demand."

Nicole Lambert, chair of the National Association of Services Against Sexual Violence (NASASV), stated that sexual violence services are "buckling under the weight of demand" and have seen no significant funding increase in decades. In March, the federal government announced a $291.7 million funding boost for frontline family, domestic, and sexual violence workforces. Lambert called for a dedicated sexual violence prevention framework and increased investment in the sector.